Thanks to President Trump’s actions to end so-called “diversity, equity and inclusion” mandates imposed by Biden, as well as lingering Affirmative Action programs that date back decades, the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents is poised to strike all references to these terms.

On Sept. 2, Alaskans were invited to weigh in on the proposed policy revisions, which would mark an end to official policy that favors students and staff based on their race, sex or sexual identity status rather than merit.

For decades, Alaska’s state-funded university system has employed DEI and Affirmative Action policies. In 2023, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action in college admissions violated the U.S. Constitution. Then, on Jan. 22, Trump issued an Executive Order that rescinds affirmative action mandates previously imposed on federal contractors as well as DEI programs among those who receive federal grants.

In an effort to comply with the new federal approach, the University of Alaska Board of Regents enlisted its chief legal officer to revise the university’s discrimination policy.

The regents serve on an 11-member board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature. The board was established through the Alaska Constitution and is responsible for University of Alaska policy and management.

“The proposed revisions are recommended in light of the federal governments revocation of its Affirmative Action programs previously managed and enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs within the U.S. Department of Labor,” the regents explained.

CHANGES

The proposed policy revision includes changing all references to “affirmative action officer” to “human resources officer.” It also states that the university is committed to provide “merit-based advancement opportunities.”

All references to “Affirmative Action” are replaced by “Equal Opportunity,” and sections that refer to special treatment to certain classes are removed.

One sentence that is struck in the proposed revision removes a line stating that the university is committed to “recruit and retain women and minorities in positions of employment where they have been traditionally underrepresented.” Instead, the new proposed language affirms that the university will “provide equal opportunities and access in employment to all individuals free from any unlawful discrimination on the basis of a legally protected status.”

Regents are meeting Sept. 4-5 in Juneau to discuss the proposed updates. The changes could be approved at the board’s following meeting on Nov. 6 in Anchorage.

TAKING ACTION

— The Board of Regents accepts written testimony at any time, which is shared with the board and the president. Emails can be sent to ua-bor@alaska.edu.

— Board meeting agendas can be found here.

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